The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-12-09
f,uke Baldwin, had also recognized him

| through the lame tongues vomiting from
the intervening stories, apparently with
out singeing, and was now on the next
TO the topmost round, just below the
window ledge.
Can You come out to mesn he called
hoarsely.
Luke shook his head.
IL know il loesss babyish, " he gasped,
"but positively can't. Perhaps it's the
smoke have swallowed, perhaps it's the
heat. but feel myself paralyzed. "
Without another word, the rescuei
bounded into the room.
The photograph caught his eye, and his
first movement was 10 slip il into his
pocket
Here, youl grip your hands under my
chin" he exclaimed, harshly. There"
and with STOPPING wrench he had the
Young mans inert body glued TO his own
broad back Freeze where You are now,
or we are both goners
A fresh, roaring cheer greeted his reap
pearance upon the ladder. hands and feet
foremost to the rungs, and with Luke
Baldwin sagging between his shoulders
like bag Of meal.
I'm three minutes thereafter Luke was
in his sisters arms, ladder and facade had
fallen in together amid the lurid empti-
ness of the fire Quilted hotel, and Spring
steel had mixed with the crowd, after I'M
tremendously wrenching his hand from
the grateful young wOman's scft palmed
grasp.
At evening of shat DAY Luke sat up,
greatly restored, but still weak lunged
and suffering in the hospitable bed Of ali
adjoining hotel, 10 which sVmpathiZing
acquaintance had assisted his sister IN
covering him.
Madgc was sitting at his side
Many condolences had been exchanged
between them before he had been doc
tored into the insensib,ty from which be
now awoke refreshed and her beautiful
face lighted mp al the change.
All, YOU are much better"
Yes, Madge, God be praised''
II am glad OF that
"Of course You are, You dear, darling
old eill though | had u Close call-the
closest, save one-that / ever had on may
ever have again.
Il am glad not only for ourselves
Luke but--fOr something else
What Is that
The brave man who rescued you. he
is coming here to see you
"Oh" And Luke moved a little IN
ea,ily
Yes, in answer 10 my earnest inquil les
aud persistent messages, lac at last sent
word that he wOud come. He ought 10
be here now. %
Her brother made no answer
What did YOU say his name was,
Luke
"Spriugstecl We used to be psrds ZAP
at the Scorpion, but we've recently had
GOODNESS
"Ah' so much more noble his devotion
in Your hour Of need, then
Yes, should rather say so.
Dc. prmgsteel Yes, that was the name
80 many shouted out a. he was running
up the ladder What an odd name and
real pretty and manfully significant
one. too
"Well-er--it'4 only nickname, you
know
But didn't know \ nickname"
YES. most Of OLD timers have EN- here
ibouts ! suppose he got his frOm-from
well. yOu see though Springsteel j.
strictly square, aud has made his little
pile honestly and 10y dOgged hard work,
hes also been IA sort OF desperate char
acter you might say
"Oh, DEAR
con, mind you, Madge, ! don't mean
anything criminal anything vicious, you
understand, though he may have stocked
"A private graveyard Of his own, but only
only he's been ia tough places, aud 40
man ever got the drop On him yet Oh,
you understands
"Only too we'll, Pm afraid With IA
little sigh How unfortunate But
what j. his real Nance
Before Luke could answer there was a
knock at the door, and the man they were
talking about stood before them
Madgc had shruuk Dack, with her face
the hue OF death and then she took "a step
forward, her trembling hands extended.
Amazement in her eyes, "A brilliant color
surging ia her face.
Grant Grant Battersby'' she ry
claimed
lie bowed with rather poor attempt
at cOldness
'Madge, " he began Il recognized
You this morning Bat before that had
known YOU were Luke's sister through
mere accident-this picture Tie pro
duced the one snatched from the blazing
room, together with another, much worn,
as though by long treasuring, represent
ing her also, but at least ten years
younger May be you would like to
compare the two, Madge.
How young l was then; how | have
changed she murmured, hardly glanc-
ing at the photos.
lyon are more beautiful than ever"
he burst out aud then checked himself
abby the way you were Madge
Barkmore then
"No; l went by the name Of capri
cious old aunt, who was bringing me up,
or rather out, while my brother here, a
little boy then, had home with his uncle,
our dead fathers brother"
"Ahl then you-you never married
that spruce lawyer. Miggles, Mrs. Bark
more somehow 1 always took her for
your mother was so set on you having"
mo and never meant TO- indignant
". In fact it was my continued refus-
ing him that caused my aunt 10 alter her
will, aud she died without leaving me
penny. Il tried Oh so hard to get word
TO YOU about il, after you had rushed
/.